Researcher Raphaella Kathryn Crosby said the results revealed that Mr Sharma would lose the by-election if the Liberal primary vote was not over 40 per cent.

“It is unclear whether it will be Sharma vs Murray or Murray vs Phelps, but it doesn’t matter because whoever ends up [against Sharma] will win,” Ms Crosby said.

If Dr Phelps “survives the preference vote, she will win over Dave Sharma”, Ms Crosby said.

Dr Phelps said she found the results “heartening” and said she stood for “strong policies the people of Wentworth actually care about”.

“Like climate change action, like the treatment of asylum seekers, supporting small businesses, an economy considerate of all people, social justice issues and of course the religious freedoms bill,” she said.